Ahlstrom-Munksjö has successfully completed the acquisition of a 60% stake in Chinese decor paper producer Minglian New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. and forms a joint venture which comprises a state-of-the-art plant in the city of Xingtai, Hebei Province, China. A non-binding letter of intent with the majority shareholders was initially signed in November 2019 but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the negotiations and closing of the transaction. By combining Minglian with its existing Decor business, Ahlstrom-Munksjö creates a global leader in decor papers with improved cost competitiveness and strong presence in Europe, Americas and Asia. The business combination allows Ahlstrom-Munksjö to leverage its brand and capabilities in the large and growing high-end decor paper market in China. It will strengthen Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s ability to serve international customers both in the short- and long term. Ahlstrom-Munksjö will provide technical and operational expertise to Minglian and strengthen Minglian’s customer offering and service in the domestic medium and high-quality segments as well as adjacent export markets. Minglian provides cost competitive manufacturing to the combined Decor business platform and opportunities to optimize production and extend further decor paper manufacturing capacities.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. reported a net loss of $25 million or $(0.39) per diluted share for the quarter ended March 26, 2022, compared to net loss of $27 million or $(0.43) per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The net loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended March 26, 2022 was $24 million or $(0.38) per diluted share, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $16 million or $(0.26) per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The increase in the diluted loss per share was driven primarily by higher key input costs. Loss from discontinued operations for the quarter ended March 26, 2022 was $1 million or $(0.01) per diluted share, compared to a loss from discontinued operations of $11 million or $(0.17) per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The Company sold its lumber and newsprint assets in the third quarter of 2021, and as a result, reclassified prior year amounts to conform to the presentation for discontinued operations.

Following the transfer of Massimo Reynaudo from UPM Communication Papers to lead UPM-Kymmene Corporation as its President and CEO, Antti Jääskeläinen has been appointed to act as interim Executive Vice President of UPM Communication Papers until a successor has been appointed. Antti Jääskeläinen assumes this role on top of his current duties and continues in his current role as Executive Vice President of UPM Raflatac. Antti Jääskeläinen’s biographical details are available at the company’s website. Saara Tahvanainen has been appointed Executive Vice President responsible for UPM’s Stakeholder Relations, and member of UPM’s Group Executive Team. Stakeholder Relations covers communications, brand/marketing, corporate responsibility, and public affairs. She will start in the role latest on 15 July 2024. She will report to Massimo Reynaudo, President and CEO, and will be based in Helsinki, Finland.